An alternative to building the HS2 link could result in delays and weekend closures for 14 years, according to a new report.

The government-commissioned study by Network Rail and Atkins claims improving pre-existing rail lines, as opposed to developing a high speed route, will negatively influence the West Coast, East Coast and Midland services.

On these lines, the 144,000 hours of work needed to make the upgrades is said to require 2,770 weekend closures and travel between Leeds and London would also take twice as long.

A government spokesperson said: "The three main routes to the north would be crippled and the economy would be damaged."

The report comes after KPMG's survey and the resulting controversy as a freedom of information request by BBC Newsnight found previously undisclosed figures suggesting areas unlinked to HS2 will lose money. In places such as Aberdeen, this was said to be as much as £220 million.